EPA Continues Burn Ban for Yakama Reservation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will continue a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama Reservation through Wednesday, July 31 until 12:00pm due to the impact of smoke from wildfires.

The smoke has caused monitor readings to approach and at times exceed the unhealthy level for sensitive groups.

Weather patterns and expectations for control of these wildfires indicate that conditions will remain about the same through Wednesday.

The situation will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries.

However, ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.

EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.

Air pollution can have significant health impacts. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems.

Anyone at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.